Financial assistance

Financial worries are the last thing you need when you’re trying to get better. If you have questions about managing the cost of your care and paying your medical bills, we are here to guide you through.

Now you can get one-on-one assistance from a financial counselor to help you with the financial aspects of your care.

At both Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital, financial counselors are available to meet with you in person Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our financial counselors can help you figure out a payment plan that’s manageable for you, and suggest financial assistance programs and services to help reduce costs.

Nondiscrimination statement

It is our mission to provide quality healthcare services to people who live in our community with efficiency, sensitivity, and a commitment to the human dignity and wellness of the individual. We make no differentiation between an individual's ability to meet the costs of healthcare and the quality of services we provide, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap or age.

As a healthcare institution, we recognize as part of our mission the need for those who are medically or financially indigent to receive care, and will assist patients who cannot pay for part or all of the care they receive. At the same time, the need for financial assistance for these patients is always balanced with our broader financial responsibility to keep our doors open for all who live in our community and may need care, now and in the future.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for financial assistance under the terms and conditions we offer to qualified patients. The determination of eligibility for financial assistance is based on a review of the patient’s and/or guarantor’s actual income, expenses and assets to determine if there is adequate financial means to pay bills from Edward-Elmhurst. Assets will be examined on a case-by-case basis to determine if patients are eligible for financial assistance.

Eligibility for financial assistance is based on income level less medical expenses. If eligible, financial assistance will be provided in the form of a discount depending on income levels from all sources. The discount will be 100% for individuals earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. A % of cost discount will be provided to patients that exceed 200% of the poverty line but do not exceed 600% of the poverty level.

A patient determined to be eligible for financial assistance may not be charged more than amounts generally billed for emergency or other medically necessary care to patients who have insurance coverage.

Uninsured discounts

An uninsured individual who does not qualify for medical or financial indigence, or an individual who does not have insurance benefits for a particular medically necessary service, may receive an uninsured discount. To be eligible, uninsured patients must not earn more than 600% of the federal poverty guidelines.

To determine eligibility for an uninsured discount, patients must fully cooperate with Edward-Elmhurst Health by providing information about third party coverage. Patients must also provide necessary documentation and complete appropriate application forms to apply for third-party coverage that may be available, including coverage from a healthcare insurer, Medicare, Medicaid, automobile insurance, worker’s compensation or any other insurance.

A payment plan for the portion of the bill which is not discounted may not exceed six months, unless this would place undue hardship on the patient. In such case, the payment plan should not exceed one year.

Forms

Patients, or a person acting on the patient’s behalf, who desire financial assistance and/or an uninsured discount from Edward-Elmhurst Health must provide financial and any other information requested by completing the forms below:

Questions about financial assistance, how to receive paper copies of our policy, application, or uninsured discounts can be directed to 630-527-5307 at Edward Hospital or at 331-221-6740 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. For all other billing-related questions, please contact our Patient Accounts Department at 630-527-3100 at Edward or at 331-221-6600 at Elmhurst Hospital.

As required by the state of Illinois, Edward-Elmhurst Health annually files a report of its community benefit plan with the Illinois Attorney General's office and publishes the report which details how we are improving the health of the communities we serve.

Each year, we provide millions of dollars in benefits, including: a generous Financial Assistance Policy that exceeds standards recommended by the Illinois Hospital Association, a wide variety of community education programs and events offered throughout the year, and language assistance for patients and their families requiring translation services.